What do power, speed, frequency, and passes mean on a laser cutter?

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Accepted Answer

Power sets how intense the beam is.

Power sets how intense the beam is. Speed controls how quickly the beam moves. Frequency means different things on different machines: on a galvo laser it is how many times per second the laser pulses, while on some controllers it sets the power-modulation frequency. Pulses per inch (PPI), where offered, is a separate setting tied to distance traveled. Passes tells the system how many times to repeat a path. In general, more delivered energy at one location creates a stronger thermal effect, but the controls are not interchangeable. Power, speed, frequency and passes all feed one idea: energy delivered per location A schematic. Four boxes on the left are labeled power, speed, frequency and passes, each with a few words: laser output, how fast the beam moves, pulse rate or other, and repeats the path. Curved arrows from all four converge on one central box labeled energy delivered per location. An arrow leads from that box to a box reading stronger thermal effect, in general. A badge at the top left reads units are machine-specific. Text beneath says the controls are not interchangeable and each one’s effect depends on the others, and to start from the manufacturer’s guidance, test small, and change one variable at a time. units are machine-specific Power laser output Speed how fast the beam moves Frequency pulse rate, or other Passes repeats the path Energy delivered per location Stronger thermal effect, in general The controls are not interchangeable, and each one’s effect depends on the others. Start from the manufacturer’s guidance, test small, change one variable at a time. Conceptual. The four controls are not four independent dials: they act together on how much energy lands at each spot along the path. More energy at one location generally means a stronger thermal effect, but the controls are not interchangeable, and names, units and useful ranges differ by machine, so a percentage from one laser is not a portable setting. Never use repeated passes to force an unknown or unapproved material to work. Units and useful values vary by machine, so percentages from one laser are not portable settings. Start with the manufacturer’s guidance for the exact approved material, use the smallest practical test, change one variable at a time, and record the result. Never use repeated passes to force an unknown or unapproved material to work.

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